Why Bethlehem's remembered

By Rhiannonw

Sun, 26 Dec 2021
  • 952 reads
9 comments
 

[Continuing the hymn-for-Sundays series]

Now Bethlehem’s remembered
throughout the ages vast,
for there the Prince was born whose
just government would last.
The Lord of glory’s advent
our Brother strong to be
as he who made the heavens
was born in poverty.

Thus Bethlehem united
eternity to now
as he the Son of Man came
that we the truth might know.
Immeasurable, boundless,
but as a babe there seen,
and touched and fed and cradled
so that he could redeem.

A servant born in Bethl’em
at Calv’ry one day nailed
bearing sin’s curse and judgement –
his mission had not failed;
from death he rose, ascended
back to his Father’s throne,
from where, in kingly splendour,
he cares for all his own.

My soul sing praises to him
remember joyfully
the day he bore the burdens
to set the captives free.
And glorify in wonder
– he loved us long before
our birth – but now he’s saved us,
we’ll praise him so much more!   

 (free translation of hymn by William Evans 1800-1880, Treamlod)

Tune: 76 76 D eg Aurelia by Samuel Wesley   

http://rhiannonshymns.co.uk

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Comments

Submitted by Nolan on

Spoken true! The Bible is very clear about that, the second coming will be in the flesh (physical, material body) on the clouds, as was the birth, crucifixion (death) and resurrection. There is no compromise.

Hope all is well Rhiannon, bearing up! Soldiering on! Nolan &

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

… and the next time everyone will see him! Glad to see you are still well. Thank you. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Nolan on

Yes, and also physical, in the same way as he ascended to heaven.

 I'm tired. Keep well.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

I  do think you are so clever making the words work well in English! Is this bit in the original? "and touched and fed and cradled" it is wonderful, the intimacy and fragility within the grandeur of the rest

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you. The whole aspect of his real humanity and being in the manger was linked with his immeasurability and omnipresence, but i think I brought in as in other carols the 'touched and fed (and cradled)' aspect to emphasise the realness of the humanity.

Concerning your advent calendar, you could make one poem of it and post without necessarily removing the individual ones. I know in the past when I've done things,I've not wanted to remove the original parts as the comments were valued. Also when wanting to repost a very old poem, sometimes I've felt the need to tweek a bit, so decided to leave the original with comments and do the new reopost under a different title.

Rhiannon

 

Submitted by hilary west on

Hi Rhiannon and Merry Christmas !

Lovely verse that encapsulates Christ's life and what it means for us.

hilary  smiley

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, HIlary. I hope you are having a happy time, and peaceful. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Rhiannon

This is a lovely poem for Chrstmas. Happy New Year to you.

Jean Day

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

thank you, Jean. And the same greetings to you. Rhiannon